The distance between Yakuramoto and the capital city of the Shimajima was an incredible 62 leagues. Although the journey would’ve taken a week on horse and buggy, the young northerners accompanying Genichi, his guards, and the southern contingent were well used to traveling great distances. However, what they were not used to was the sheer speed it took to cover that distance. They had been shepherded to some kind of terminal in the centre of Yakuramoto, which was by far the most advanced part of the island and town. There, they found their way inside of a long, large metal tube which sat on rails that was so large it could fit several taverns worth of people within. This, according to Genichi, was the primary and fastest way to get around the Shimajima: the shinkansen. None of the foreigners could believe their eyes. Had they not know who built the technology, they would’ve assumed it to be built by the Angels. But this was pure Terran engineering and innovation that they found themselves in. A reminder of where Yeupis could've had the Titanians left it alone.
The shinkansen had such a seating layout that a pair of seats faced another pair, in two sections that flanked a centre corridor for walking down the train car.
“What’s gotten into him?” Stefan asked regarding the man in the window seat across from him, who rested his chin on his head, elbow on top of the armrest as he gazed outside.
“He’s sad.” Bhavana crossed her arms.
“Why? Is it because of the deal?” the young half-Terran wondered.
“Nah. It’s ‘cause he left his lady friend behind. Although, thanks to Anwen next to you, he got to get a few words through to her. I keep telling him to hold his head up high, but he won’t listen.”
“Hold on,” Stefan raised his hands. “Aren’t you… his lady friend?”
“Yeah, but I meant his other one.” Bhavana spoke as casually as one announcing what they had eaten for breakfast in the morning.
Stefan’s psyche did know if it wanted to cringe or burst out laughing, so he tried suppressing himself. Although, with his lips that refused to stop quivering, it was difficult.
“I allowed him to, don’t worry,” Bhavana reassured the boy. “My culture is different from yours. A man can take two wives—well, we ain’t married yet, but you get the picture. As you can see, I’m having trouble convincing him he’ll see Koharu again. Ya wanna help?”
“I just want to take you both home,” Ivan muttered, his steely gaze glued to the hilly countryside of the Shimajima. “My name will go down in history for uniting our peoples. But I can’t stand having only one of you by my side.”
“Y-Yeah…” Stefan spoke uncomfortably. “There’s not much I can do for you there. He’ll be normal again soon, though. Well, his version of normal.”
That’s what she was convinced to think and tell you. Do you think that is the sole reason your friend feels and acts this way?
It’s that voice again. The voice that called me grandson. What do you want now?
Even this pea-brained northern Terran knows that something is approaching, something that will not go well. Now, this event can either end badly or it can end catastrophically. My grandson, you have the power to stop it from going in the latter direction.
What? Why don’t you think there will be good consequences? Sure, there’s a lot of uncertainty, but why can’t it lean towards our benefit?
Because you don’t know these people. You don’t understand the true extent of the depravity of the Terrans. Being raised by them has blinded you from it. Look at this from your other side—your true side. Use your power and make it better for you. You know it won’t be good for anyone else.
I’m an Angel only by blood! Stefan unconsciously clenched his jaw as his soul fought with the voice speaking as his paternal grandfather. I’ll use the curse you put on me to help other people—not hurt them. You have no say in this. You’re dead. No—you don’t even exist.
Stefan shook his head, sending the voice back into the depths of his mind. He didn’t know how long it would stay there, but it worked for the time being. When his eyes focused back on the real world, he jumped, startled by the apparition of a torso leaning over him, a hand on his knee being used for balance.
“You have an odd habit of daydreaming, Stefan,” Anwen giggled, turning her head to look at him. “Isn’t the scenery enough to keep you busy?”
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“Aren’t you a bit too old to be leaning over people without asking them first?” Stefan shot back, pushing Anwen off of him. The girl frowned, dejected.
“That’s how it always starts,” Bhavana snickered, observing the slightly younger boy and girl. “One thing leads to another, and—
“Be quiet, Bhavana!” Anwen cried in the same manner as a six-year-old defending themselves from another child, only to be blamed for causing the altercation in the first place. “He’s my cousin. Don’t say anything like that ever again. You should be glad I translated for Ivan and Koharu free of charge! This is what I get instead?”
“Alright, alright,” Stefan rose to his feet. He had to hunch over slightly, his great height not meant for standing upright in a train car designed for the average Shimajimese. “Calm down. I doubt Bhavana would purposely use fighting words against someone who has a pure titanium leg.”
“I only bid glad tidings.” Bhavana raised her hands in self-defense.
“Here, take my seat,” Stefan offered the girl. “You’ll make more use of it than I will. I don’t need to lean over someone else to look out the window.”
“Fine. You win.” Anwen conceded without much opposition. She immediately pivoted toward the window, using her loose brown locks to hide the peripheries of her face, which reddened with shyness.
He sure isn’t the training-obsessed freak he used to be a few months ago, she noted once quietude took hold again. I like this version of him.
Seeing that the girl’s suggestion about the view outside the window had some validity, Stefan decided to gaze out of it as well. And he was not disappointed.
The Shinkansen glided through the countryside, its hum a soothing rhythm. The young man was captivated by emerald rice paddies glinting under the afternoon sun and clusters of wooden farmhouses standing steadfast. Rivers shimmered like silver calligraphy, winding past rolling hills cloaked in dark forests and cherry blossoms. Villages nestled in valleys appeared, their streets alive with lanterns and two-wheeled metal frames which were apparently called bicycles. Reflected faintly in the glass, Stefan felt a quiet stillness, as though the landscape breathed in harmony with the train's steady rhythm. In that moment, the world outside seemed both vast and personal.
“I really wish Leon was here to see all this,” Anwen said quietly, her gaze still locked on the landscape outside. “Growing up, he wanted nothing more than to get out of Marius. But leaving the town brought him somewhere he never hoped to be in. He’d love to be somewhere like this. Really feels bad with this beautiful view in front of me while he has to deal with blood and guts everyday.”
“I’m sure he’s happy you get to even see this,” Stefan said with a smile, even though Anwen wasn’t looking at him. But she could feel his warm energy—whether it was through Detection or simply just knowing he was smiling—and she formed one of her own. “He definitely knows how hard this journey’s been, especially on you. He’d want you to have a little break.”
“Y’all mind if I join?” a young voice spoke from the aisle. The youths minus Ivan, who had fallen asleep amidst his unshared despair, turned their necks, making eye contact with Ilias.
“Why? What’s wrong with the side your mum’s on?” Stefan asked his young cousin.
“Y’all can see the land and stuff over there, while my side’s only got water. I seen enough water for one journey,” Ilias shuddered jokingly, before pointing one of his thumbs behind him at the two pairs of seats facing one another immediately on the other side of the aisle from the four youngsters. “And Ma, well…”
Three sets of eyes peered over the boy’s shoulder, where they were met with an unusual—but relatively normal sight. Sat in the seat next to the window was Manisha, and next to her was Rohan. There was no space between her left arm and leg and his right side, and her head was comfortably positioned against the Captain’s shoulder, while his rested on the top of her head. Both were sound asleep, and both were completely unaware that the tender moment was being watched by other people.
“Awww…” Anwen clasped her hands as she cooed. “Isn’t that just adorable? My God… thanks for not keeping that to yourself, Ilias.”
They look perfect together. If it wasn’t for this trip, this never would’ve happened. They both deserve this.
A light smile spread about Stefan’s lips. He had never seen a romantic gesture given his abnormal upbringing, but he understood that this was precious moment.
She never needed Gareth after all, I guess.
Bhavana, contrary to the reactions of the two teenagers, was ecstatic. She rose from her seat, shaking her fists with excitement.
“No way. Is that really the Cap before my eyes? With Miss Manisha of all people? He went from hating her guts to… I need to tell the crew about this. Use my seat, fella. I’ll be gone a while.”
She promptly left the area, moving as quickly as she could in her kimono.
“It’s weird seeing her like that, you know?” Ilias noted as he sat next to the snoozing Ivan. “I never thought she’d be happy next to any man who wasn’t my dad. I don’t think it’s bad or anything. Just… weird.”
I feel the same way, about my own mum, the sudden thought popped up in Stefan’s mind. To think that she and Uncle Ruben weren’t just friends or neighbours, it’s… I’ll have to find out more about her and who the hell she really was. Maybe if I find that disgusting excuse of a father I have, I might ask him before I tear his heart out of his chest.
The Koppel siblings spent some minutes discussing the younger child’s thoughts, and admittedly, fears about the idea of his mother being with a man who wasn’t Gareth. However, there was no man more important at that moment than the one they were traveling to meet.
“Anwen, a random question, but… what sort of person do you think the Shogun is?” Stefan asked, an attempt to focus back on the present.
“Not sure,” she shrugged. “But we can’t show weakness in front of him. I know as much as that.”
That strength you want us to have, Anwen remembered the words Lady Makoto had spoken to her just before the tea ceremony. It hasn’t gone a bit. I can feel it.